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Exploring New Markets: Europe Edition Recap

May 13, 2025

Elif Şahin

Elif Şahin is a Marketing Manager at Tenity with extensive experience across product marketing, employer branding, community building, and creative content production. Over the past eight years, she has built a diverse career leading marketing initiatives in fast-paced startup environments and established organizations.

Exploring New Markets: Europe Edition Recap

On May 9th, Tenity hosted the Market Access: Expanding Into Europe event at Dotshub, bringing together founders, entrepreneurs, and market experts to explore one of the most critical steps for startup growth: international expansion.

With a focus on three key European markets; the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France, the event offered a deep dive into market entry strategies, investment landscapes, and support mechanisms available for startups ready to scale beyond their home markets.

What Did We Talk About? Real-World Insights from Market Experts

Our expert speakers shared firsthand experiences and invaluable advice on navigating these diverse and opportunity-rich ecosystems:

  • 🇬🇧 Zeynep Öztekbaş (Head of Inward Investment, UK Department for Business and Trade) provided an insider’s perspective on the UK startup landscape. She outlined current investment opportunities and discussed government-backed programs supporting foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand their businesses in the UK.
  • 🇳🇱 Necla Günay (Area Director Türkiye & Balkans & MENA, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency) revealed why the Netherlands continues to stand out as a preferred destination for founders. From its strong innovation ecosystem to attractive incentives for startups, the Netherlands remains a strategic gateway for scaling across Europe.
  • 🇫🇷 Cécile Lavigne (Inward Investment Manager, Business France) and Dârâ Hizveren (Président, French Tech Istanbul) jointly explored the opportunities in France, one of Europe’s most dynamic startup ecosystems. They shared practical tips on entering the French market, building local partnerships, and leveraging the vibrant community of innovators.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session and a dedicated networking segment, where participants had the chance to connect directly with speakers and peers paving the way for new collaborations and market opportunities.

What’s Next? We’re Heading to the GCC!

As part of the ongoing Market Access series, we’re excited to announce our next destination: the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

If you’re exploring new frontiers for your startup, this is an unmissable opportunity to gain direct insights into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Learn about business dynamics, funding opportunities, and ecosystem support directly from local experts.

Reserve your spot now: Join the session here.

Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing you at our next session!